Issuu

Thursday, May 9, 2019

Volume 152 No. 43 SERVING SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1934

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Athletics director speaks about role in alleged sexual assault case By Vicente Vera NEWS EDITOR

Described in court documents as working a “highly-coveted position” for the University of Washington’s football team, the student, only identified as S.S., began a consensual relationship with cornerback Roc Alexander in 2001. When the relationship turned abusive, S.S. alerted university authorities. University of Washington athletics officials, including then-assistant athletic director Marie Tuite, tried to settle the accusation through mediation, said S.S. According to court documents, mediation is the practice of intervening in a dispute, usually though face-to-face meetings between the accuser and accused, in order to come to a reconciliation. Almost 20 years later, Tuite is now athletic director at San Jose State. Looking back at how the situation was handled, Tuite said while she had no control over the University of Washington’s response, she regrets that the university was not fully equipped to handle the accusations. “20 years ago, we didn’t have a [chief diversity officer] and we didn’t have a Title IX office,” she said. “That’s what I regret.” At her South Campus office on Wednesday, Tuite spoke retrospectively on Wednesday to the Spartan Daily about her time at the University of Washington and how she wished she never had to

face dealing with a sexual assault accusation. “Going through that experience certainly created an even stronger sensitivity reflex to the young people I serve,” she said. “I think I’m more qualified to sit in this chair because of having gone through that.” When asked about what she would have changed in her response to S.S.’s allegations toward Alexander, Tuite said she would have liked the situation to not have occurred altogether. “I certainly wish the situation we were dealing with had never occurred because of the two young people who were involved,” she said. “That would be what I would change, that we were never in a situation where we had to go through the process of that situation.” During the 2001 mediation, S.S. said she asked that Alexander be suspended from several football games; but Alexander contested, denying the accusation and threatening to leave if the university sided with S.S. S.S. said the university sided with Alexander, according to a 2004 lawsuit filed by her against the University of Washington. Though she stated that Tuite had direct knowledge of the accusation, Tuite characterized the mediation as a “student-to-student employment conflict.” “When it first went to mediation, at the time we were not mediating sexual assault, that was not the intent of the mediation,” she said.

Tuite reflects on handling of investigation from 18 years ago

ERNIE GONZALEZ | THE SPEAR | FILE PHOTO (2017)

Athletics Director Marie Tuite gazes at the SJSU football team ahead of its game against the Utah State Aggies on Sept. 23, 2017 at CEFCU Stadium. Tuite has worked in the position for nearly two years.

“We did not mediate a sexual assault case.” Tuite went on to say that she does not believe cases of sexual assault can be, or should be, resolved through mediation. Chief diversity officer of SJSU,

Students speak about enrollment challenges By Adam Yoshikawa STAFF WRITER

Deciding classes for the next school term can be a confusing and overwhelming process for those unsure of what courses are needed. Child and adolescent development senior, Chloe Orton said she could have put her graduation status in jeopardy if she didn’t seek help from an academic advisor. ”Had Had I not seen an academic advisor, I very easily could have tried signing up for

credential based classes and been denied which would have led to more confusion,” Orton said. Orton transferred to San Jose State from Cuesta College. “My academic advisor [of Cuesta College] was initially helpful, but later on when I transferred to SJSU, I found she had forgotten to list a few classes and it almost impacted my graduation had an advisor here not noticed,” Orton said. Orton struggled to identify the difference between masters and credential classes. “I had no idea what sheet to look at, what sheet to refer to in terms of classes to take,” Orton said. There are more than 35,000 students enrolled this semester that academic advisors attend to, according to SJSU analytics. Art sophomore Mary Anne Yee said students are not happy when enroll they in classes without

consulting with an advisor. “Just because something pays a lot [certain majors], that doesn’t mean it’s good,” Yee said. Yee was an undeclared major and visited academic advisors without disclosing her passion for art. “I have been in college, miserable for the past two years because I put aside the arts, tried to be someone I’m not and tried to please my parents,” Yee said. Academic advisor Ashley Defensor works for the Academic Advising and Retention Services office working specifically with undeclared students. Defensor said that advisors not only help choose classes for students but also help clarify a path to success at SJSU and achieve that degree. said it is Defensor crucial for students to work with their advisors. “As advisors we can only help you as far as you’d let us,” Defensor said. Follow Adam on Instagram @yoshi_kawa_ Academic advisor Cynthia Lopez shows a student a list of courses he may take for the next semester. Lopez is a full time professional advisor in the Student Services Center. ADAM YOSHIKAWA | SPARTAN DAILY

Graduation

Editor’s Note:

Class of 2019 bids farewell

The Spartan Daily will resume publication on August 21.

Pages 4-5

Kathleen Wong(Lau), said that San Jose State University would never use mediation as a method of resolving sexual assault claims. “When you talk about mediation and all of those other things, that would never happen and it should

never happen,” she said. “We don’t reunite, under any circumstances, the complaint and respondent.” Regarding the protocols that have evolved in Title IX offices ALLEGATION | Page 2

Measles tweet debunked by SJSU officials By Huan Xun Chan NEWS EDITOR

On Wednesday morning, a San Jose State student falsely tweeted that there is a confirmed measles case on campus. Barbara Fu, the medical chief of staff at the Student Health Center, sent out an email to the entire SJSU campus community later in the day clarifying that there are no measles cases on campus. In the Twitter post, the student wrote that her classmate’s roommate who lives in the Campus Village has been tested positive for measles the night before she made the post. In the campus-wide email, Fu stated the Student Health Center took action right away after being made aware of the Twitter post. “There is no confirmed case of measles on campus or in the residence halls,” the Student Health Center reported. Almost three hours after the initial tweet, the student tweeted again and stated that her decision to delete the previous post was because of personal reasons regarding the classmate. In the same post, she men tioned that she was in communication with the case manager of University Housing Services

for further details. According to the California Department of Public Health, there are four cases of measles in Santa Clara County as of May 2. SJSU students may visit the Student Health Center to check their immunity with a blood test if they suspect infection. Symptoms of measles usually start with high fever, fatigue and loss of appetite, according to the Student Health Center. The sickness can also cause a cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes, white, gray or blue spots inside the mouth and a red rash. Fu explained that students who do not have evidence of being immunized should get the measles (MMR) vaccine from the Student Health Center or their medical provider. The vaccine is administered in two doses, 28 days apart. The Student Health Center is open Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For more information, students can contact the Student Health Center at 408-924-6122.

Follow Huan Xun on Twitter @Huanxun_chan

Sports Sharks advance to Western Conference Final Page 8

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NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2019

False herpes alarm in Coachella Valley By Javier Velez STAFF WRITER

Several media outlets falsely linked a reported rise in herpes cases among concertgoers after the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals. The Desert Sun, a local newspaper reported that Coachella Valley health providers have not seen an increase in herpes consultations or positive diagnoses health clinics in the area. Jose Arballo, a Senior Public Information Specialist at the Riverside Department of Public Health tol d Bi l l b o ard, “I reached out to our lab departments, disease control and our HIV and STD program and none of them reported a spike in herpes cases.”

Diagnoses were based largely on electronic consultations on the app HerpAlert, according to The Desert Sun. The app allows users to self-report potential cases of herpes and connects them with doctors who claim to give a diagnosis over the phone. Herpes is an infection that can be caused by two different strains of the herpes simplex virus, from skin-to-skin contact often during vaginal sex, oral sex, anal sex and kissing, according to Planned Parenthood. Although HerpAlert reported an average of more than 250 requests for herpes medication a day during both festivals, no outbreak was confirmed by health officials. Even though there was no real herpes outbreak,

some San Jose State students believe it is still good to be cautious. “This report should be a lesson for everyone to be on the lookout during festivals,” said political science sophomore Beatriz Raz via email. “It’s an amazing atmosphere where we all want to share, but we should also be careful about all our actions that could end up being consequential.” Raz suggested SJSU offer a free check-up to festival attendees. “I feel that [a free check-up] is a good way to encourage students to check up on their health, especially after a weekend of having fun. This also could keep our campus safe and healthy from any sickness or disease,” Raz said. Sociology sophomore

Briena Brown said while it is impossible to eliminate herpes, people can be responsible for their own actions to keep the number as low as possible. “Not sharing drinks/ food, continuing to wash hands/use hand sanitizer as often as possible, being aware of the opportunities for this to be past in various ways in restrooms, showers and on the campsite,” said Brown via email. “Educating myself more about the passing of herpes and ways to prevent this would be a priority for me if I were to go again.” Nielsen, a data analytics

company, said that about 46% of music festival

attendees are in the 18 to 34 age range. The average SJSU student falls within these age parameters. Hospitality major junior Kassandra Monta said, “It is mostly college s t u d e n t s attending this festival. I think by this time, [college students] should all be fairly educated about sex and sexually transmitted diseases and infections.” About 1 in 2 people ages 14 to 49 in the U.S. are infected with HSV-1, which is the typical cause of oral herpes according to American Sexual Health Association. Follow Javier on Twitter @JavyALVZ408

ILLUSTRATION BY CINDY CUELLAR

ALLEGATION Continued from page 1 across California State University campuses, Wong(Lau) said that there has been an increased focus on preventing impropriety on the part of university personnel or people who are invested in protecting authority figures. Wong(Lau) also said that both students who are accused and those who make accusations of sexual assault are provided resources, like counseling sessions.

“The process takes awhile because of the protocols and so we want to make sure that both of them are still successful while they are under this investigation period,” she said. “Advocates then provide support for both parties.” Another major factor Wong(Lau) emphasized was that professors and other faculty do not have the right to remain quiet when they learn of potential cases of sexual assault. As state employees, university faculty have a duty to report accusations of this nature, even if a student

requests that the employee keep the conversation confidential. During the Title IX investigation process, students may keep their case confidential. “The Title IX coordinator can grant confidentiality [to students],” Wong(Lau) said. “We would never force someone to file a case, we always give them support and accommodations, no matter what.” The lawsuit was eventually decided in University of Washington’s favor by the King County Court in Washington state in 2009, clearing university officials

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We would never force someone to file a case, we always give them support and accommodations, no matter what. Kathleen Wong(Lau) chief diversity oﬃcer

of any legal misconduct in regards to how they handled the accusations brought forth by S.S. According to the Seattle Times, the jury was denied the opportunity to read aloud a statement to go along with the verdict. Several jurors

said their statement would have scolded the university and advised it not to treat the verdict as vindication. Because S.S. eventually graduated from the university, the court determined that her educational environment

was not sufficiently harmed by the handling of her complaint. When asked what she would say to the student who made the accusations against Alexander, a now retired NFL player, Tuite said; “I would say the same thing to the student athlete and to [S.S.] today. I would ask how they were doing. I would ask what have they done in the last 20 years. I would be supportive of them today as I was 20 years ago.” Follow Vicente on Twitter @VicenteSJSU

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OPINION

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2019

Quit using Tinder to light up your love life Javier Velez STAFF WRITER

Online dating is becoming more popular and it’s not a bad thing. But, that should not be your only way to date. I try to stay away from online dating applications because people filter what you see on their profile. For example, in the about me section, I can

post all the positive attributes about myself and not feel the need to post the negative attributes like the fact that I’m terrible at remembering names. A study of more than 1,000 online daters in the U.S. and U.K., conducted by global research agency OpinionMatters found

a total of 53% of U.S. participants admitted to having lied on their online dating profile. According to the study, women lied more than men, with the most common dishonesties being about looks. Over 20% of women posted photos of their younger self. Men were only marginally better. Their most common lies revolved around their financial situation. Specifically, about having a higher paying job than they actually do. More than 40% of men indicated

they did this, but the tactic was also employed by nearly a third of women. When it is time for the first date and they finally arrive, you have no idea what to expect which often leads to disappointment. Face-to-face interaction gives you the opportunity to form impressions on who you are meeting. You can instantly tell someone’s intentions because of the emotion and facial expressions in the conversation. There is a chance of being catfished when talking to online profiles.

According to Urban Dictionary, a “catfish” is someone who pretends to be an attractive person in order to attract someone online. Expectations of looking attractive for the public’s interest have grown, so people to want to look a certain way even though they might be far from it. Users have learned camera angles to make their rear-ends larger than they appear and Snapchat filters really do work miracles! I have met plenty of people who have used online dating services and

that boost of confidence does not transfer to their communication skills. Research conducted by Michigan State University found that, “relationships that start out online are 28% more likely to break down in their first year, than relationships where the couples first met faceto-face. Moral of the story, pick up a chick at the bar. That way you can take advantage of your inperson communication skills. FollowJavier on Twitter @JavyALVZ408

SPARTUNES 52#46#0 &#+.; '&+6145p (#814+6' )11&$;' 510)5

DON’T THINK TWICE IT’S ALRIGHT Bob Dylan selected by Nick Zamora

CRYSTAL SKY OF YESTERDAY (࠯я‫) ׺ݙ‬ දӗᨎ selected by Huan Xun Chan

NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE The Jackson 5 selected by Jana Kadah

5000 CANDLES IN THE WIND Mouserat selected by Eduardo Teixeira

GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD Elton John selected by Kayla Flores

WE’LL MEET AGAIN Vera Lynn selected by Hugo Vera

STREET SPIRIT (FADE OUT) Radiohead selected by Vicente Vera

MISS ME Drake selected by Lindsey Boyd

BYE BYE Gryﬃn selected by Winona Rajamohan

BYE BYE BABY Noname selected by Johanna Martin

HISTORY One Direction selected by Jessica Ballardo

BYE BYE BYE NSYNC selected by Kelsey Valle

LOVE YOU GOODBYE One Direction selected by Melody Del Rio

DON’T YOU (FORGET ABOUT ME) Keith Urban selected by Myla La Bine

TWO STEPS BEHIND (ACOUSTIC VERSION) Def Leppard selected by Mike Corpos

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GRADUATION

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2019

Moving onward

What’s your favorite memory at SJSU and what are you doing next?

Class of 2019 prepares to take next journey after SJSU Coming from different walks of life, cities and backgrounds, the Class of 2019 were brought together for a single reason: a higher education at San Jose State. Despite all of the struggles from midterms, projects and finals, these graduates endured and succeeded. As they bid the university farewell, we look at how they got there and what’s next. Congratulations, and Spartan Up!

te school g to gradua [Univerin o g n o n la USF “I do p be going to ill w I . st masters u g u in A o] to get my achc is c n ra F n sity of Sa with my te hing, along of art in teac as well.” ls ing credentia nh Raymond Le ce n ie c s l socia

e of my ﬁrst raves “I guess going to on freshman year. here [on campus] my to grad school.” Find a job, possibly go Nathan White

electrical engineering

“It was just connecting with people, and being able to just connect with folks. I didn’t think I’d get this close with people being a master’s student. I’m either gonna continue working in higher education, or star t working in immigration law.” Ana Isabel Perez Mexican American Studies

“I’ve enjoyed a lot of the up per division electives for m y major. They’v e been interesting an d fun. I have a full-time job lin ed up in San Fr ancisco, so I’m gonna be taking a little break and then [start ] working ther e.” Hovsep Lalikia n computer sc ience

“I plan on going into teaching, I got hired as a ﬁfth grade teacher at a charter school, so that’s what I’ll be doing.” Vanessa Vasquez child development

any good don’t have r student. I y, tl s e n o “H te s a commu memories a ilitary, and I wanna go m itI was in the ing to the oﬃcer recru lk ta o g m I’ to . t k n c ba wa arines and I ers in the m a pilot.” ros e Cesar Ontive s back and b ie d Justice Stu

ILLUSTRATION BY CINDY CUELLAR, REPORTING BY ROMAN CONTRERAS & CINDY CUELLAR

CSU pushes on-time graduation By Alyson Chuyang & Javier Velez STAFF WRITERS

Across the nation, many high school students apply for colleges in the spring and look into the characteristics of each university which can be acceptance rates, population, amenities, and graduation rates. San Jose State University has shown significant progress in increasing fouryear graduation rates from last year, according to EdSource, a site dedicated to informing Californians on the challenges faced in education. In 2013, the 4-year graduation rate for freshmen was 9%, but increased to 19% in 2018. For transfer students, the 2-year graduation rate rose from 19% in 2013 to 32% in 2018, according to Sharon Wiley, the associate vice president for administrative and enrollment services. Public health graduating senior Aaron Do went through his freshman orientation in the summer of 2015 and said that counselors were advising first-year students to only enroll in 12 units, but now orientation leaders and advisors encourage taking 15 to 16 units. Do believes this strategy is unrealistic, and the only way he was able to graduate in four years was through his involvement on campus that allowed him to get priority registration. “I think being involved on campus and looking for opportunities to give you priority is pretty essential to get the classes you want so you can graduate in four,” Do said. Social worker senior Nayeli Marquez thinks that the push to graduate with 15 to 16 units per semester can be

taxing on a student’s busy schedule outside of school. “The most units I’ve taken so far was 15 units and that was quite hard,” Marquez said. “I had to juggle between classes, homework, papers, part time job, family obligations and friends who constantly wanted to hang out with me. In Fall 2018, SJSU students took 12.43 units on average. Freshman and sophomores took 13.78 to 13.89 units respectively, while juniors and seniors took lighter loads, with 13.07 and 12.55. Some students will inevitably try to take more units. “[During] Fall of 2018 I took 18 units at SJSU,” business administration senior Maria Grilotti said. “It was one of the most stressful situations in my college life. I definitely learned a lot about myself, pushing my limits almost every day.” However, Grilotti’s decision of taking on more classes paid off for her academic career. “I’m feeling confident my journey through [Evergreen Valley College] and SJSU have prepared me to be an outstanding professional, to be able to keep up with Silicon Valley demands,” Grilotti said. Wiley said the campus uses a number of approaches to increase the graduation rate which include encouraging students to increase their unit load, have more classes available, and increase the number of advisors. “We provide that message to students, ‘Finish in four,’ ‘Take two,’ recognizing that not every student can graduate in four years or will graduate in two years as a transfer student,” Wiley said. “Students

I’m feeling confident my journey through [Evergreen Valley College] and SJSU have prepared me to be an outstanding professional, to be able to keep up with Silicon Valley demands. Maria Grilotti business administration senior

have individual circumstances.” The California State University system as a whole has also taken steps to ensure students graduate in four years. One approach the CSU system has used is a program called the California Promise which guarantees that transfer students will graduate in two years and first-year students will graduate in four years if they follow certain university guidelines. The program started in Fall 2017 at SJSU and is eligible to transfers or frosh who started in that semester or later. Since California Promise is still new to the campus, there are no current statistics online as to whether it has affected the rising 4-year graduation rate, however Wiley said enrollment services will start a study soon to look at the effects. Digital media junior Marc Velayo said he sees it as a program that is beneficial to students, but thinks it is best to allow students to take their time. “Yes, it’s great to finish and be on track for four years but I feel like this puts a lot

of pressure on students,” Velayo said. “We all have different lives outside of school, different responsibilities to worry about.” Another initiative that the CSU system took was getting rid of “no-credit remedial courses.” The remedial classes required students who scored low on their math and/or English placement exams to enroll in a no-credit class that would prepare them for a college-ready class the next semester. Students can now enroll in classes that carry credit and offer extra study hours if necessary. The implementation will happen in Fall 2019 so the effects of the change will not be immediately visible, but Jeff Gold, the CSU assistant vice chancellor for student success told EdSource that he is proud that campuses are working to improve student success. Mary Tran, a graduating child health and development senior, feels that while graduating in four is seen as a success, the path students take should be personal to them. Tran decided to take an extra year to give herself more time to study in school, and discovered that she wanted to enter the field of student affairs and work with college students as an adviser. “If I had graduated last year, I would’ve been on a completely different career path than I did this year, because it wasn’t until this fifth year that I really explored what it meant to work in higher education,” Tran said. Follow Alyson & Javier on Twitter @alysonchuyang @JavyALVZ408

Tears for my best years at San Jose State Jana Kadah MANAGING EDITOR

I sat on my bed after high school graduation with tears in my eyes. My dream since middle school was to follow in my father and uncles’ footsteps and attend the University of California, Berkeley. I got on the waitlist but didn’t clear it. So, my next best option, for a multitude of reasons, was to study at San Jose State. I was scared that at SJSU, I wouldn’t be able to grow and learn as much as I would at a more reputable school. I could not have been more wrong. I did not expect to fall in love with this university and its people in the way that I did. I entered with the heart of an activist and idealist. I came in ready to study political science to eventually be a civil servant and change this country for the better. I joined the on-campus club, Students for Justice in Palestine, my freshman year. By my second semester

I was vice president of the club and successfully passed a resolution through Associated Students calling on the university to divest from American companies that profit off the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine. We became the first California State University campus to do so. All of that was not possible without the support of my club members and advisor, Noam Perry, a former Israeli Defense Force soldier and justice studies professor, who actively protected my club and me from zionist and university backlash. He taught me how to formulate my arguments and articulate my thoughts so that I could effectively educate people through my activism. In the summer of 2016, I decided to continue my activism. I went on the journalism faculty-led program to Germany and Greece to report on the refugee crisis. It was by pure chance

that I saw the poster, as I had never stepped foot in the journalism building or taken a mass communications class. I didn’t know anything about journalism, but I wanted to see the crisis first hand, so I could learn how to help; idealistic – I know. During that trip my idealistic view of world was shattered. Seeing hundreds of innocent people fall victim to wars of politicians made me lose faith in the world and even with God. I felt that no matter where in the government I would work, nothing I could do would prevent these crises from developing or continuing. As a student journalist in the refugee camp, I felt like I was invasive and useless. It was one thing to read the statistics but it was a completely different thing to see that number first-hand and hear people’s stories. My questions forced the refugees to recall their arduous journey and significant losses. I cried nearly every day before I went to the camps, while I conducted the interview, and before I went to bed. I found solace in the words of journalism

I now sit on the same bed but this time my eyes are tearing up because I don’t want to leave. But if I have learned anything from my incredible four years at SJSU, it’s that every single thing happens for a reason. professor Halima Kazem, who had an instrumental role in my development. She told me that journalism is a form of activism. That our loyalty to exposing the truth held politicians accountable and sharing the stories of the unheard gave them a voice. Kazem helped me develop my skills as a journalist and encouraged me to take her broadcast class. I vividly remember her telling me how difficult the course was but that she knew I could do it. I admired everything Kazem did, so of course I did as she recommended. From then on I fumbled my way into writing contributing pieces for the Spartan Daily. I sat in the room one night during production and I fell in love

with journalism even more. I knew I had to be a part of the Spartan Daily team, so I applied to become a copy editor for the paper and got the position. That was the start of what ended up being the best semester of my entire academic career. It was, until I became the managing editor of the Spartan Daily a semester later. This semester I was able to work with brilliant, passionate and talented students in essentially what was a semester-long group project. I learned how to be a leader, manage my time, and work effectively with people, especially when we disagree. I was able to see our ideas blossom into beautiful newspapers. Those could’ve

only stayed ideas had it not been for my team. And so, as I reflect on my last semester in college and on the Spartan Daily, I want to thank my editorial team and my staff writers for everything. Above all, thank you for listening to me, trusting me, and making every single one of those 43+ chaotic late nights more fun than any other night on campus. I also want to thank my advisors, Mike Corpos and Richard Craig for being my Spartan Daily dads. These men have not only taught me a plethora of lessons about news writing, but also gave me invaluable life lessons. Thank you for believing and encouraging me and having my back 100%. I now sit on the same bed but this time my eyes are tearing up because I don’t want to leave. But if I have learned anything from my incredible four years at SJSU, it’s that every single thing happens for a reason. Even the seemingly negative things, like leaving my new-found home, friends and role models, are a blessing in disguise. Follow Jana on Twitter @Jana_Kadah

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2019

Taryn West: insta-famous in the Bay By Roman Contreras STAFF WRITER

It started with “it” girls like Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. The age of the influencer is in full effect and doesn’t show any signs of letting up anytime soon. Influencer Marketing Hub describes and influencer as an individual who has the power to affect purchase decisions of others due to his or her relationship with their audience. Behind all those pursuing influencer status for the wealth and fame, stand some who want to use their platform for the greater good. “I think my ultimate end goal would be to enjoy the creative process but also profit,” aspiring Instagram influencer Taryn West said. “Not in a ‘I want people’s money way, but coming up with things that might benefit people’s lives and provide value to other folks.” West, a Hayward native, graduated from University of California, Davis with a degree in psychology. Her passion for helping the younger generation has led her to a career in youth development. West also sees this as a part of her influencer brand. “If I’m not an influencer, who is? I’m working with the next generation, you know?” West said. West’s fascination with the world of influencers started similarly to most.

I think my ultimate end goal would be to enjoy the creative process but also profit. Taryn West social media influencer

She opened social media apps and saw seemingly normal people living their daily lives, yet they had thousands of followers. This, West said, gave her an “if she can do it, I can do it too” mentality. Unlike the Kardashian types of the influencer world, West strives to be an influencer for the everyday person. In her pursuit of influencer status, West has created a YouTube channel where she hopes to tackle issues deeper than deciding which shirt pairs best with which skirt. On her YouTube channel, she is developing a series that features local people who she finds influential. In the series, West plans to address topics related to social justice and women’s rights. Trying to reach influencer status has come with adjustment periods for West. “Most of the people I follow on Instagram I know personally,” West said. “So having more people follow

ROMAN CONTRERAS | SPARTAN DAILY

Social media influencer Taryn West poses for a selfie for her Instagram page outside of Lemonade in Palo Alto.

me than I know personally is strange, but I’m adjusting.” With a growing following comes growing amounts of criticism. When the critics first started voicing their opinions, West said she ignored it. After a while, West began to respond to the comments, questioning why the individual took the time out of their day to insult someone they don’t know personally. To this, she would receive no response.

Psychology senior Sarah Rodriguez said she can see both sides of the influencer trend. “I guess if they’re doing good things I don’t mind, but if they’re just promoting dumb stuff I don’t like it,” Rodriguez said. However, dealing with the criticism isn’t a problem for West. “If you know you can’t handle it personally, consider that before diving into this influencer world,” West said. For critics of social

media influencers, West wants them to know there is more to being an influencer than just posting on Instagram. There is a responsibility to having a platform and using it for good, not bad. West additionally wants to make it clear that the photos you see are what she wants you to see, not what’s real in the moment. In growing her brand, West sees honesty as the most important factor.

Honesty works to West’s advantage, as an article from Medium blogger Jelle Fastenau, lists authenticity as a key factor in becoming a successful social media influencer. “I had to let go of that notion that I needed to be perfect,” West said. “I instead [looked] for way to be more authentic or genuine.” Follow Roman on Instagram @Roaminroman_52

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2019

SJSU classes take on virtual reality Faculty embed VR into curriculum in classrooms for fall 2019 By Melisa Yuriar CONTRIBUTING WRITER

active environment where artists, designers and engineers work to create immersive environments with dynamic motions.” Graphic design students from the course used VR at the lab to apply graphic design principles into new environments they created. “Some students might create a small

WebVR project by the end of this semester, and they might come back to [virtual reality lab] to explore the VR deeper,” Han said. She said it is important to include VR in course lessons since it has become more approachable and is open for anyone to use. “I believe that graphic designers should understand the new changes in conjunction between art and technology and see what is coming in the near future and how to apply user experience and interaction design to the new environment,” Han said. An “Open VR” session is scheduled in the lab today, from 4-7 p.m.

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PH OT O CO UR TE SY OF DA NIE LM ITR E

Virtual reality (VR) is the newest technology trend aiming to change how Silicon Valley residents work, learn and live. To give students an advantage before entering the workforce, San Jose State University is integrating virtual reality in the classroom through the use of The King Library Experiential Virtual Reality Lab in the Martin Luther King Jr. Library. “Being in Silicon Valley, I find it useful and important to stay ahead off trends and learn about new industries,” said business entrepreneurship junior Casey Westhoven. Business professor Yu Chen is combining VR into a course that focuses on applying new technology in businesses and organizations in the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business at SJSU. “In the past, I taught virtual reality and their applications using videos,” Chen said. “However, teaching using videos only involves visual and audio thinking; virtual reality experience, however, involves spatial thinking, which is difficult to fully present only using videos.” The business professor explained that the the tech integration has excited many students. “Much like how the internet changed our lives two decades ago or mobile phones changed our lives a decade ago, VR and other emerging technologies might also bring new industry,” Chen said. VR devices are allowing them to leverage their ideas from basic forms – and into substantial plans. Student teams in the course proposed using VR to scout unused land to design affordable housing and build infrastructure for new public transportation systems. Another team described their intent to pre-experience car models using VR without having to visit car vendors.

Chen said students who learn these skills as first adopters of the tech will benefit by becoming more efficient in their future careers. “I believe SJSU students have the privilege to be exposed to these emerging technologies and further experience them to understand their potential business value,” Chen said. Graphic design professor Yoon Chung Han is blending the VR lab into a core graphic design course for senior bachelors of fine arts students. The motion graphics course teaches the application of design concepts and moving images. Students in Han’s class explore principles of moving imagery such as timing, pacing, editing, composition and links between images and sounds. “Motion graphics can be applied to not only just 2D screens, but many different mediums and environments,” Han said. “VR/ [augmented reality] is a new and

CLASSIFIEDS CROSSWORD PUZZLE

SUDOKU PUZZLE Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

JOKIN’ AROUND I was only ever high before weed entered the picture. What am I?

Your GPA.

SOLUTIONS

ACROSS 1.Vamoose 6. Sore 10. Angers 14. A form of oxygen 15. Parasitic insect 16. Following 17. Scientific workplace 19. Superhero accessory 20. Douse 21. “___ the season to be jolly” 22. Bright thought 23. Luxury boat 25. Eclogue 26. Voucher 30. Persons 32. A portable brazier 35. An arc of colored light 39. Comestible 40. Verdigris 41. Marriage 43. Being unoccupied 44. Inuit 46. Dregs 47. Lower 50. Disallowed 53. Water pit

54. Commercials 55. Relinquish 60. Threesome 61. Having a deformed foot 63. Therefore 64. Plateau 65. Pile 66. A soft sheepskin leather 67. Biblical garden 68. Pigpens DOWN 1. Auctioned 2. Mogul 3. Gown 4. Soon 5. Compassion 6. Abaft 7. Dress 8. Heir 9. Cheers 10. Secondary 11. Prepared 12. Kick out 13. Pilfer 18. “Eureka!” 24. Consumer Price Index 25. Of a pelvic bone

26. Masticate 27. Conceal 28. Footnote note 29. Bigger than a teaspoon 31. Not Mama 33. Near 34. “Darn it!” 36. Common hop 37. A single time 38. Methods 42. Set afire 43. ___ populi 45. Improper use 47. Daisylike bloom 48. Donkey 49. Girlfriend (Spanish) 51. F 52. Condemns 54. Cap 56. Part of a plant 57. Decorative case 58. Heredity unit 59. Probabilities 62. Prohibit

05/08/2019

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SPORTS

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2019

Sharks skate into conference final By Adam Yoshikawa, Javier Velez, Jonathan Austin

I was feeling better after Game 5. Traveling with the team I kept my same routines, good workout sessions, good skates and also head confidence.

STAFF WRITERS

The San Jose Sharks advanced to the Western Conference Final after winning Game 7, 3-2. A nonstop conversation after Game 6 was the readiness of Sharks captain Joe Pavelski. Pavelski had not played in the second round because of a concussion obtained in Game 7 of the first round when the Sharks finished off the Las Vegas Golden Knights, 4-3. “I was feeling better after Game 5,” Pavelski said. “Traveling with the team I kept my same routines, good workout sessions, good skates and also head confidence.” Pavelski took the ice for the Sharks and made his presence felt after five minutes and 57 seconds as Pavelski scored the first goal of the game. “[Pavelski’s] back! I knew he’d be back in it,” Sharks fan Jack Escobar, 28, from Modesto, Calif. said. “It’s so good to have cap’ back.” Sharks forward Tomas Hertl scored later in the 1st period to keep the momentum in their favor to double their lead 2-0. The Sharks were unable to keep their momentum heading into the first intermission as the Avalanche scored with seven seconds left in the 1st period to cut the lead in half, 2-1. The Sharks led the Avs in shots, 12-9 at the end of the period. The beginning of the 2nd period began with physical, defensive hockey. Eventually, the Avalanche caused the Sharks to turn

Joe Pavelski San Jose Sharks captain

ADAM YOSHIKAWA | SPARTAN DAILY

see [Pavelski] come hard even after two weeks of doing kind of nothing.” Hertl said after the game. “He came, he scored a goal and made a nice play to me. I’m super happy he’s back.” The Sharks will compete against the St. Louis Blues in the next round, having last faced each other in the 2016 Western Conference Final. Game 1 will be held on Saturday in the SAP Center in San Jose at 5 p.m.

Sharks right wing Timo Meier (left) speeds around Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (right) for a loose puck near the Avalanche’s goal. The Sharks would go on to win Game 7 and end the series.

the puck over in the neutral zone with 12:14 remaining in the second period, leading to Avalanche forward Colin Wilson put the puck in the back of the net to potentially tie the game at 2. However, Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer successfully challenged the play as offsides. After that, Sharks forward Joonas Donskoi scored his first goal of the playoffs 12 minutes and 37 seconds into the second period, putting the Sharks up 3-1. By the end of the period, the Sharks continued to lead in

SHARKS

AVALANCHE

shots, 25-14. Sensing the end of their season drawing closer, Colorado ramped up the intensity for the

entirety of the third period. Closing the gap for the Avs, Tyson Jost scored his third goal of the playoffs within 51 seconds of the start of the third period to give San Jose a 3-2 lead. As the period came to a close, Sharks goalie Martin Jones made several clutch saves while the Avs pulled their goalie to have an extra skater on the ice. ADAM YOSHIKAWA | SPARTAN DAILY The Sharks eventually held off the Avalanche to Sharks forward Joonas Donskoi win the game and the series, skates during the 2nd period. advancing to the Western Follow Spartan Daily on Twitter Conference Final. @SpartanDaily “I was even a bit surprised to

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